Rodent-Related Zoonotic Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface in Qatar: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Md Mazharul Islam, Elmoubashar Farag, Ahmad Mahmoudi, Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan, Ehsan Mostafavi, Khalid A. Enan, Hamad Al-Romaihi, Muzzamil Atta, Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein and Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana
Additional contact information
Md Mazharul Islam: Department of Animal Resources, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Doha P.O. Box 35081, Qatar
Elmoubashar Farag: Ministry of Public Health, Doha P.O. Box 42, Qatar
Ahmad Mahmoudi: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia 5756151818, Iran
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
Ehsan Mostafavi: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
Khalid A. Enan: Department of Animal Resources, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Doha P.O. Box 35081, Qatar
Hamad Al-Romaihi: Ministry of Public Health, Doha P.O. Box 42, Qatar
Muzzamil Atta: Department of Animal Resources, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Doha P.O. Box 35081, Qatar
Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein: Department of Virology, Central Laboratory, The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khartum 7099, Sudan
Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana: School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Rodents are one of the most diversified terrestrial mammals, and they perform several beneficial activities in nature. These animals are also important as carriers of many pathogens with public health importance. The current systematic review was conducted to formulate a true depiction of rodent-related zoonoses in Qatar. Following systematic searches on PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science and a screening process, a total of 94 published articles were selected and studied. The studied articles reported 23 rodent-related zoonotic pathogens that include nine bacterial, eleven parasitic, and three viral pathogens, from which the frequently reported pathogens were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (32 reports), Escherichia coli (23), and Salmonella spp. (16). The possible pathway of entry of the rodent-borne pathogens can be the land port, seaports, and airport of Qatar through carrier humans and animals, contaminated food, and agricultural products. The pathogens can be conserved internally by rodents, pets, and livestock; by agricultural production systems; and by food marketing chains. The overall estimated pooled prevalence of the pathogens among the human population was 4.27% (95%CI: 4.03–4.51%; p < 0.001) with significant heterogeneity ( I 2 = 99.50%). The top three highest prevalent pathogens were M. tuberculosis (30.90%; 22.75–39.04%; p < 0.001; I 2 = 99.70%) followed by Toxoplasma gondii (21.93%; 6.23–37.61%; p < 0.001; I 2 = 99.30%) and hepatitis E virus (18.29%; 11.72–24.86%; p < 0.001; I 2 = 96.70%). However, there is a knowledge gap about the listed pathogens regarding the occurrence, transmission pathways, and rodent role in transmission dynamics at the human–animal–environment interface in Qatar. Further studies are required to explore the role of rodents in spreading zoonotic pathogens through the One Health framework, consisting of zoologists, ecologists, microbiologists, entomologists, veterinarians, and public health experts in this country.

Keywords: pathogens; rodents; public health; environment; meta-analysis; One Health; Qatar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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